MaxPreps 2012-13 Georgia preseason boys basketball Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012-13 Georgia Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Norcross
Head coach: Jesse McMillan
2011-12 finish: 16-12, lost in first round of 5A playoffs
The Blue Devils will look to put a first-round exit behind them and with the inside-out talent on McMillan's squad, that shouldn't be an issue. Brandon Goodwin (6-foot-2, Sr.) and Andre Chatfield (6-4, Jr.) are a formidable backcourt, while 6-5 junior Lorenzo Carter and 6-7 senior Terrence O'Donohue - both transfers - will man the paint. The Blue Devils have the parts to make a run at the 5A title.

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2. Tift County (Tifton)
Head coach: Eric Holland
2011-12 finish: 20-8, lost in first round of 5A playoffs
It's not every day that one of the nation's best players transfers to another school, but that's just what the Blue Devils experienced when 6-7 wing player Brannen Greene left Mary Persons in Forsyth to join the Tift County squad. How good is Greene? He's committed to Kansas and rated the No. 33 overall player by MaxPreps.com. Greene won't be alone, either. Guard Tadric Jackson (6-2, Jr.) is getting looks from major programs and should help form a lethal 1-2 combination with Greene. Donell Tuff, a 6-5 senior forward, is tough, physical presence in the paint.

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3. Johnson (Savannah)
Head coach: Utaff Gordon
2011-12 finish: 23-6, lost in first round of 5A playoffs
After spending the past three seasons at rival Savannah High School as an assistant, Gordon takes over a loaded squad at Johnson. Tim Quarterman, the team's leading scorer from a year ago, is a do-it-all 6-6 guard committed to LSU. He's joined by 6-8 senior Saadiq Muhammad and 6-3 senior guard Greg Mortimer (both averaged in double figures last season). Even more good news for the Atomsmashers: After playing in the loaded 5A classification last season, they'll move down to 3A this season and move to the top of the list of state-title contenders.

See last season's Georgia boys basketball Freeman Rankings

4. Columbia (Decatur)
Head coach: Kerry Sandifer
2011-12 finish: 31-1, 3A state champions
Sandifer takes over for the legendary Phil McCrary, who guided the Eagles to five state titles (2006, '08, '10-12) before stepping down after 25 seasons. The Eagles lost a lot of size from last year's dominating team but return their smallest and best. Point guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen (5-9, Sr.) is committed to Auburn and has the ability to score from the perimeter, but may be at his best penetrating and dishing or finishing. Where he will get help is the question. With backcourt mate Nate Mason Jr., off to Shiloh, the Eagles will need someone to step up, but Shamsid-Deen - who averaged a double-double last season - is the type of player that will help Sandifer find those pieces.

See last season's Georgia boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Shiloh (Snellville)
Head coach: Kim Rivers
2011-12 finish: 25-4, lost in second round of 5A playoffs
Junior Trayvon Reed already has the nation's top college programs flocking to Snellville to catch a glimpse of what the long, lanky 7-footer can do on the court. They're finding out that's a lot. Reed will benefit from the addition of point guard Nate Mason Jr., who transferred from three-time defending state 3A champ Columbia, so he could focus on playing point instead of the 2-guard. The addition of 6-3 junior guard Idris Taqqee is a big lift for the Generals. Taqqee is a big guard who can score in the paint.

See the 2012 Georgia boys basketball All-Region Teams